

Anchoring a one-reporter Washington bureau. Dissecting public records and data. Establishing community sources. Discovering fresh narratives.
That's part of how Eli is building a versatile skillset — ranging from detailed investigations and gripping features to breaking news and unique event coverage. Please take a look through this varied showcase of his award-winning portfolio.
Eli Hoff reports on higher education and related topics for the Columbia Missourian, routinely breaking news in a competitive market. His coverage ranges from an ongoing fraternity hazing scandal to investigations of a flagship university and features about the quirks of a college campus.
Previously, Eli was a Washington, D.C. correspondent for the Columbia Missourian and Missouri News Network, where he anchored a one-reporter bureau that provides breaking news and enterprise stories to more than 200 newspapers.
The New York Times highlighted Eli's “dogged” reporting in a 2020 feature about student journalists' coverage of Covid-19.
A senior at the University of Missouri's School of Journalism, he’s been developing that journalistic skill since he launched a soccer news site at 14. Eli has reported on national and state politics, sports, education, defense and public health in the seven years since.
Eli’s work has appeared in the Columbia Missourian, the Columbia Daily Tribune, the Jefferson City News Tribune, Major League Soccer, SB Nation, Vox Magazine and been syndicated by the Associated Press. His versatile skillset — including investigative reporting, feature writing and documentary production — has been honored by the Associated Press Sports Editors and Missouri College Media Association.
He’s no stranger to using public records, having filed more than 100 records requests with 27 states and several federal agencies. But Eli also brings an eye for unconventional and human stories to his work, combining scoop generation and longform skill.